The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918, takes pride in presenting the Distinguished Service Cross (Posthumously) to Second Lieutenant (Infantry) Julian D. Keith (ASN: 0-1293420), United States Army, for extraordinary heroism in connection with military operations against an armed enemy while serving with Headquarters Company, 2d Battalion, 32d Infantry Regiment, 7th Infantry Division, in action against enemy forces at Attu, Territory of Alaska, on 29 May 1943. When Japanese Forces initiated a strong pre-dawn attack against Sarona Nose, Second Lieutenant Keith courageously manned an automatic rifle, deployed his few men, and placed fire on the enemy which stopped their attack on the left flank of the Regimental Command Post. Lieutenant Keith’s position was reinforced by a senior officer, who led a small group of men that had been assembled in the rear area. Being the only individual in the group skilled in operation of the automatic rifle, Lieutenant Keith remained in position placing effective fire on the enemy, who by this time had emplaced a heavy machine gun, and a 37-mm. and were firing on our troops. It was necessary for Lieutenant Keith to stand from the prone position to effective place fire on the machine gun crew as there were no other advantageous positions for more effective fire. Lieutenant Keith’s attacks upon the enemy were fearless, and with abandon. At two different times he definitely killed the enemy gun crew. He remained in this exposed position for more than two hours, inflicting heavy casualties on the enemy. As he stood to know out the third enemy gun crew, Lieutenant Keith was killed but not until he had silenced the machine gun. Lieutenant Keith’s courageous, determined, and skilled action stopped the enemy, inflicting many casualties upon them and unquestionably saved many American lives. Second Lieutenant Keith’s extraordinary heroism, personal bravery and zealous devotion to duty at the cost of his life, exemplify the highest traditions of the military forces of the United States and reflect great credit upon himself, the 7th Infantry Division, and the United States Army.